Elsewhere, Prime, having been asleep, was woken up by Ratchet due to the new arrivals, and though Optimus would have loved to stay with his mate, he had to go see what had happened, as it was his duty, and so with a gentle kiss for a goodbye, Optimus headed down to the med bay.

Optimus was horrified when Ratchet had told him what had happened and he said he would see to it that Dart and his sparklings received a room right away. He also asked where the sparklings were.

Ratchet informed Optimus that the sparklings, which were unharmed physically, were now with Crankcase, as the bot had been there when Skyfire had brought Dart in.

Optimus nodded and went to find his brother after telling Ratchet to keep him informed of Dart's condition.

Crankcase was able to get the little ones to eat finally as he just sat in the rec room.

Optimus was shocked when he saw just how young the precious sparklings were. Optimus could tell that the little ones were scared, but Optimus had no idea why. "I see you finally met your grandchildren, my brother' Optimus said, almost causing his own brother to jump up and punch him.

"Optimus I swear never sneak up on me like that" Crankcase said. "Next time I'm apt to shoot, yeah...I just...under these circumstances" Crankcase shook his head. "They saw it happen"

It was then Optimus realized why Crankcase was so jumpy – his precious grandchildren had seen their mother get slaughtered. "I'm sorry, my brother" stated Optimus, who was about to leave when one of the little ones that Crankcase was holding began to squeak, not wanting the large bot to go.

"Looks like you had better stay Optimus" Crankcase said.

Optimus decided to stay and as he came back, Dash, the bot that had squeaked at Optimus soon reached out for the bot. It was then that Crankcase and Optimus realized that something about Optimus reminded at least Dash of his mother creator, and so while Optimus was able to feed and rock Dash, Crankcase could focus on Zip.

Crankcase gently coaxed the little one into eating and rocked him to sleep. "I think you need to stay close for a while"

"You talking about me, my brother?" Optimus asked, just making sure that was what he had heard.

"I am, I think you look enough like their mother things might be smoother with you around. I'll help Dart when he is released from the med bay, I know the pain he is in"

Optimus nodded as he took the two small sleeping sparklings and headed back to his quarters, placing them with his youngest sparklings which slept in the room closest to the master berth. Thankfully the two didn't wake and Optimus was finally able to get back to bed, with his sparkmate.

Optimus eased back into their berth and settled down.

Crankcase meanwhile went to the med bay and sat beside his son, once Ratchet let him.

Dart was awake, having inherited Crankcase's strong spark. "where are my boys?"

"I kept them for a time but now they're with Optimus in his quarters, it seems Dash thinks Optimus looks like their mother. So we decided it was best that they stay close to Optimus for a time" Crankcase said taking his sons hand. "They are beautiful like you my son"

"I only wish you could have met their mother, he was loving and gentle, always wore a battle mask, as half his face had been blown off from accidentally stepping on a mine. He was built pretty big, but his biggest and best feature was his loving spark" stated Dart, growing teary-eyed as he talked about his mate.

Crankcase gently pulled his son into his arms. "I'm sure I would have loved him, but know that he will always be with you baby. I know the pain you feel as I felt the same when I lost Sentinel. I never thought I would find love again, until this one mech saved my life by bonding to me. Your creator told me he released me, so I know Sentinel approves, we're expecting and just hours ago we bonded with another. For now though grieve your mate, but not forever and if you want you can stay with Silverbolt, Slingshot and myself"

Dart nodded, snuggling closer to his mother. 'Thank you mom. I am glad Mirage called me all those months ago, or I never would have had a place to come to' Dart said, crying a little more.

"Shhh, its alright and I'm glad Mirage did too" Crankcase said holding his son close. "We can start anew here on Earth"

Dart just snuggled in, feeling loved and wanted as well as hurt and in grief. Dart was so hurt that he had forgotten to tell his mother one thing – the name of the bot who had killed Dart's sparkmate, a Autobot who had become a con named Stargazer. What Dart didn't know and neither did Stargazer for the matter was that they were brother and sister.

Crankcase held his son soothing him and finally asked something hours later. "Do you know who did this"

"Yes mama, I do – as she used to be an Autobot" replied Dart, "I recognized her. It was Stargazer."

That made Crankcase freeze, primus it couldn't be...but it was and he knew it. "Alright baby we'll keep an eye out for this Stargazer, why don't you rest a little bit and as soon as Ratchet says ok I'll take you home with me"

Dart nodded and soon fell into a somewhat peaceful recharge while Crankcase was left to think.

He couldn't believe Stargazer had joined the cons, he knew if they ever met in battle he would have to offline her. Even if she was his daughter. Primus how had this happened.

Mirage woke up suddenly, and without waking his mate, snuck out to feed the youngest bots. Mirage noticed the two new ones, but knowing that there was a reason that they were here, Mirage fed the young ones and then went back to bed.

Optimus optics online but were dim as he was still partly asleep. "'Rage?"

"Just feeding the little ones, beloved" Mirage replied, not wanting to ask about the new ones.

"They're my brothers grandsparklings...I'll tell you more in the morning"

"Alright, sweet spark" Mirage said as he snuggled into his mate, 'But you better tell me what is going on in the morning"

"Promise" Optimus said going back into recharge. The following morning Optimus told Mirage about Dart's loss, his arrival and that the little ones saw it happen and that they or at least the one seemed to think he looked like their mother.

Mirage couldn't believe what had happened. And since they were part of their brood at the moment, Mirage did his best to work with the little ones, who seemed to love Mirage just as much as Optimus, which made things a lot easier for Mirage.

Crankcase meanwhile was taking his son to his quarters to get him settled in there. "You're going to love Silver and Sling, son"

"I hope they will love me too' stated Dart, worried.

"They will" Crankcase said. "Because your mine" Soon they arrived and Crankcase called out gently. "Silver, Sling are you awake loves"

Both were wide awake and into heavy petting but stopped when Crankcase came back with a visitor. "who is this, my love?" asked Bolt.

"This loves is my son, Dart. He was my last sparkling from Sentinel and he recently lost his mate to a con, he barely made it here with his babies"

Slingshot and Silverbolt both went into action, doing their best to make Dart feel loved and at home. Both showered the bot with love, making Dart feel accepted into a family that showed its love. "I hope at some point we will meet the little ones' stated Bolt, "but until we can, we might as well do our best to take care of you, son."

Crankcase smiled his spark pulsing love, he was so glad his mates had accepted his son and grandsons though they hadn't met them yet. He watched as Dart snuggled against them as they held him and he left going to go get Dash and Zip, as well as tell Optimus who had done this.

Optimus was in his office, the two little one's of Dart's with him. Mirage was also in the office, as the little ones had attached themselves to both Optimus and Mirage. Mirage was also watching the youngest sparklings of his and his mates while their other children were elsewhere.

Crankcase knocked before coming in. "Dart's settled in with us for now, I came to see if I could steal my grandsons"

Optimus hadn't even said anything before the two little sparklings crawled there way over to where Crankcase was. "They need to be with their father for a while anyway' stated Mirage.

"There are the big little bots" Crankcase said picking them both up. "Come on lets go see daddy and you can meet your other grandparents" He said then paused. "Optimus...I know who did this to him"

"take care of the sparklings first and then come back and tell me, brother' Optimus said, seeing the little ones squirming.

Crankcase nodded and he took the sparklings back and let them crawl to Dart.

And while Dart was reunited with his babies and Slingshot and Silverbolt were getting to know the little sparklings, Crankcase made his way back to the office, finding only Optimus in it this time, and no sparklings.

"Optimus" Crankcase said sitting down. "An Autobot turned traitor..." He started but that wasn't all. "And...its Stargazer"

Optimus, unaware of Stargazer's significance, just looked at Crankcase, "is that all, my brother" Optimus asked, showing Crankcase that Optimus had no idea about Stargazer.

"Optimus...Stargazer is my daughter. As far as I know she and Dart are my only living children"

Optimus had to sit down, too overwhelmed by the situation to stand much longer, and being sparked didn't help. Optimus just put his head in his hands, wondering what they were going to do.

"Optimus if it comes down to it...I can't believe I'm about to say this...but I will offline her, daughter or not"

Optimus just sighed, before saying one thing, "for now, let's just get your son settled in, and then we will worry about this" stated Optimus, unsure what else to say.

Crankcase nodded. "I felt you had to know who did this" Crankcase said and got up. "Optimus do you need energon or anything"

Optimus did need something, but it wasn't something his brother could provide, and so Optimus said, "no thanks, I am good."

Crankcase nodded and left his brother returning to his mates, son and grandsons.

By the time Crankcase returned, the family seemed to be happy and in harmony.

He smiled at the sight as he came in and gave everyone a kiss and depending on who was the type.

Dart, Dash and Zip soon fell asleep on the couch while the others watched them.

Crankcase hugged his mates. "Thank you for accepting them"

"If Prowl can accept Wingspan, Optimus can accept Bluefire and Seaspan, and Ratchet can accept Bee's first triplets, who are we not to accept your son?" Bolt asked.

"I love you both so much"

"and we love you, Crankcase" both said in unison.

Crankcase kissed them both before getting a blanket and covered his son and grandsons letting them sleep.

Elsewhere, Elita was relieved by the news she had received that Aquaformer and Saberquake were doing the job that they had been called to do and that she was no longer needed. It made her happy, as she knew now that her sparklings would remain safe.

Keeper could feel her happiness and sent love to her.

Elita felt the love and sent some back, as it was truly a happy day, as while Chromia missed her, things were going well on Cybertron.

Bee was trying to rest and wasn't doing too well when he felt a sharp pain, primus he knew that pain and he commed Ratchet hoping his mate would answer.

Ratchet didn't answer right away, as he was repairing something one of the unattached Dinobots had done to one of the unattached aerial bots. After getting incessantly beeped, Ratchet finally answered his comm., "Yes, what you do want?"

"H..help..." Bumblebee managed pain in his voice.

Ratchet ran out of the med bay. He knew that call, he knew what was going on – his sparkmate was sparking the sparklings and hadn't been able to get to the med bay.

Bumblebee was 'breathing' through a pain when Ratchet made it.

Ratchet realized that he would have to help his mate spark here in their quarters, as there was no way of getting bee into the med bay.

"H..hurts Ratch..." Bee managed.

Ratchet gave a bit of pain med and set ready for the sparklings to come out, not knowing how long this would take, but knowing he would be there for his mate.

Bumblebee would moan and groan as the contractions grew closer and a few hours later Bee was pushing.

And while Bee was working on pushing out, something strange was happening with Soundwave and Grimlock, as the two large eggs that Grimlock had been sitting on hatched, revealing one femme bot that was much like Grimlock, along with femme bot that was much like Soundwave. Soundwave named the little ones Cera and Tuner.

Back in Bee's room, the sparklings were starting to come, though Bee was starting to get really tired.

The latest push wasn't as strong as the others had been. "Ratch..."

Fearing that the sparklings were too big to come out the "natural" way, Ratchet rushed his mate down to the med bay in hopes of doing a C-section.

Bee knew Ratchet would keep them safe and he was aware of Ratchet opening him up.

Soon enough, all the sparklings came out, all three of them, the size of regular transformer sparklings, trying to come out of a minibot. And with the three new mechs – Responder, Wasp, and Flying Tool were added to the brood.

Bumblebee smiled tiredly, he was plum exhausted and upon seeing the triplets he knew why they hadn't wanted to come out the normal way.

Elsewhere, Mirage was somewhere that Optimus didn't want him to be, in the command center, as not every bot knew that Mirage was carrying and Optimus didn't want a repeat of what had happened when Mirage was pregnant with Flasher and Keeper. Mirage watched as other bots worked and Mirage helped out here and there, where he could, hoping that no con alarms would sound. But as he was assisting a bot, Teletran blared a Con sighting. Mirage wasn't sure how to get out of going since he was there and heard it.

Jazz had been on his way to the command center when he heard the alarm so he rushed into see what was going on. "Mirage put out and all call for every available mech and relay information to us"

Mirage nodded and made the calls, as he was under Jazz's authority, no one questioned him staying behind, and while others went, Mirage relayed the information, Optimus still unaware of it all going on, as he was asleep due to being sparked.

Jazz issued the orders based on what Mirage relayed to him and within a couple hours they were heading back to the ship.

Mirage found himself pulled aside by Jazz, after everything was all said and done, and Mirage could tell by the look on Jazz's face that Jazz was not happy with him. Mirage just sat and listened as Jazz read the illusionist the riot act in Jazz's private office. Mirage just sat and took it, not sure what else to do, as he just felt useless, even in their quarters, as Optimus had usurped everything Mirage usually did.

When he was finished Jazz pulled Mirage into his arms. "You know I worry about you, you can't do everything on your own no matter how much you want to"

"But mom," Mirage started, "Optimus has taken over everything I do at home, including the kids, has kept me in the room as much as possible and has almost restricted me to bedrest. I was getting bored and feeling useless. I know I shouldn't have been in the command center, but I need interaction, I need things to do, or else I am going to go crazy."

"Why didn't you come me son" Jazz said. "I would have come kept you company or even taken you to my office"

"I did try to find you, but when I saw you and prowl go crazy with your newest sparklings, I felt like I didn't want to be a burden to you" Mirage stated.

"Oh baby, you can bother me anytime. Primus knows I could have used it right then, I'm still a little miffed at Prowl for trying to pull off what he intended"

Mirage had no idea what Jazz was talking about, but Mirage did express something that had been on his mind for a while, "Maybe I should talk with ratchet about sterilization, as we have so many sparklings, it is getting to the point of being crazy" Mirage said, accidentally setting his mother off.

"Mirage no, primus don't do something like that. Especially without talking to Optimus first" Jazz said. "First Prowler, then you each sparklings is a gift and they can be taken care of"

Mirage was taken aback, and felt like he had been slapped in the face. "I'm sorry mama, you're the first bot I even mentioned it to. It's just that I am scared, tired, and I feel like I don't get the attention I need from my Lugnut of a sparkmate. I love him, and I know he is the leader, but does he have to be such an aft so much?" Mirage stated, as he started crying, a mood swing taking him over.

Jazz pulled his son into his arms. "I think being an aft is in the leader job description, he just wants all of us to be safe and you know he loves you dearly. He's trying to end this war for all our sakes"

Mirage, feeling that Jazz didn't get it, suddenly just let loose, and while bawling told the TIC everything, all the frustrations, all the hurt, anger, feelings that Mirage had hidden for so long. He loved his sparkmate, but he never felt like he had anyone who listened to him, and so Mirage just continued on and on and on. And after 3 straight hours, Mirage finally stopped, and Jazz was amazed of with what he had learned, and was a little upset at Optimus.

Jazz soothed his son and apologized softly, sitting him down he got him some energon and told him he could rest here.

Mirage curled up in a tight ball, or as tight as he could and fell into a light recharge, the energon tears still staining his faceplates. And while Mirage was just curling up, Optimus was waking up and was heading for the command center, unaware of the busy day's earlier activities. And upon seeing something as off, Optimus called Jazz to the command center, and Jazz went, with one thing in mind, talk to the leader about Mirage.

"Jazz what's happened?"

Jazz told Optimus about what had happened and about the whole con alert, but when jazz mentioned that Mirage was the information relay person, Optimus about went ballistic at the fact that Mirage was even in the command center. It was then that Jazz understood what Mirage was talking about.

"Why was he up here" Optimus said. "He's supposed to be taking it easy"

"he was up here because you refuse to allow him to do anything, Optimus" Jazz stated, catching the leader off guard.

Optimus sighed. "I'm worried Jazz..."

Jazz pulled his leader aside, "talk to me, Optimus, what are you so worried about?" Jazz asked, trying to understand.

"Everything, I'm worried that I am not a good enough leader, that I'm not a good enough mate. That I'm going to lose too many before this war is over"

'I think you are suffering from a mood swing, Optimus. You know you are a good leader, as does everyone else, and as far as it seems like almost everyone is concerned , you are a perfect sparkmate. And with war comes loss of life, it will happen" Jazz said, not knowing his comment about almost everyone knows that the leader was a great sparkmate worried Optimus.

"What do you mean Jazz that almost everyone knows I'm a great sparkmate"

Jazz swallowed hard, "what I have to tell you will probably upset you, but I tell you this as I don't think the bot who told me is in any condition right now to tell you…" and with that Jazz told Optimus, in private, everything that Mirage had said, ranging from the frustrations of being restricted to the feeling useless to the point of even thinking about sterilization. Needless to say, by the time Jazz was done, all he could hear was Optimus's intakes for 10 straight minutes. "Optimus?"

Slowly Optimus came back. And this comes from him"

"Yes, and I know you are trying hard to be the best you can to him and to all of us, but I think you are putting the all of us ahead of your own sparkmate' Jazz said.

"What can I do Jazz...I try but it never seems to be enough. I can't give him what he wants, not fully, not until this war is over"

"Give him trust. Let him do things. He knows his limits, most of the time. I know you are scared to lose him, but the more you try to control him, the more you will lose him. Work with him, share and share alike. I think you will be surprised by just how far that goes' Jazz stated, surprising Optimus, as it was anything fancy or complicated – it was something simple.

Optimus nodded what else could he say really.

'And don't worry I think I scared him enough that he won't dare go anywhere near what my mate tried to do' Jazz stated.

"Prowl actually tried too..."

"Yes, I barely got to the med bay in time, and Ratchet was stalling. Prowl tried to have his sparkling development chamber removed behind my back, and had it planned. Mirage was nowhere near that, and I think I stopped him before he could even go talk to ratchet about what it involved, so be glad. You mate loves you – he just is more emotional now that he is sparked. I am sure things will be better once you're both no longer carrying" Jazz said as he led Optimus to his office only to find that Mirage had disappeared, not left, just disappeared.

"Mirage love, please can we talk" Optimus asked gently.

Mirage came back into view, showing something that Jazz hadn't seen before, several small wounds all over, "Yes, dear, we can talk" Mirage said softly, in a very un-Mirage-like way.

Optimus went and sat down beside Mirage. "I'm sorry for how I've been treating you"

"I know you get stressed my dear, and I know you don't want to take it out on your soldiers. I understand that I am a safety net where you can vent and bounce ideas off of as well release pent up emotions, beloved. I have learned to adapt" Mirage stated, showing an understanding that even Jazz was impressed with.

"It is still not fair to you" Optimus said and took his mates hands in his. "Do you forgive me"

Mirage reached up and drew his mate in for a deep passionate kiss as his answer to his mate's question. "any further questions, beloved?" Mirage asked after he broke off the kiss.

"Just how do you put up with me" Optimus said and held Mirage close.

"that, beloved, is my little secret" Mirage responded before kissing his mate and soon Mirage was pulled out of Jazz's office by his mate. Mirage had no idea what Optimus had planned, but Mirage wasn't going to fight, as at least they were going to hopefully spend time together.

Optimus left Jazz in charge and took his mate out for a while.

Mirage was surprised as his mate took him past various places. Mirage wasn't sure where they were headed, he just hoped they were not heading into trouble.

Optimus assured him and took him to some caves no one knew about.

Mirage stayed near his mate, hoping that part of the reason they were here was to spend time being intimate with each other.

Optimus caressed Mirage lovingly.

Mirage, who had felt so deprived, had his paneling open just from his mate's first touch, and it was then that Optimus realized why Mirage felt so frazzled – it had been over a month since they had been intimate in any form of the word.

Optimus took his time and brought Mirage overload after overload.

Mirage was speechless as the overloads rippled through him. He felt a huge weight fall off of his shoulders, and he seemed to melt with each touch, not wanting this ride to end.

Optimus kept it up until Mirage would have been what the humans called boneless.

Mirage just lay there, his panel still wide open, his body feeling like a puddle of goo. He felt loved and that was all that mattered.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Charger and Red, who were extremely horny, were going at each other, as Flasher had training to go to, but once Flasher was done, he walked in on the two, silently watching, to see if he could learn anything from the two of them, and boy did he.

Charger was more flexible than anyone realized and he was putting his flexibility to use as he got Red to be more inventive.

Flasher felt his spike rise to the occasion as he watched his two mates, and as he watched them, Flasher got an idea, as Charger's aft was so close. And so, without further ado, Flasher joined in, lubing up his spike before plowing the monster in Charger's aft, who was now sandwiched between his two mates and loving it.

Charger did cry out though mostly in surprise at being so suddenly filled in his aft.

And once both red and Charger realized their mate was back, they let Flasher take over. Flasher took Charger from behind while having Red orally tease charger's junk from the front. Flasher always enjoyed lovingly dominating his mates, and they were more than willing to let him.

Charger moaned and was soon begging his mate for more.

Soon enough, all three overloaded, and Red and Charger attempted to smother their third mate with love, but flasher had a question for them, "have either of you been to see ratchet lately, as I have noticed a few things, and I think you both need to be checked out?" Flasher asked as he kissed his mates.

They both shook their heads. "We haven't"

"well then my lovelies" Flasher stated as he kissed each one, 'I think we should go see him, as I think there is more going on with you two than meets the optic." And so Flasher took both his extremely horny mates to the med bay and found out that both were carrying sparklings. Flasher smiled as he brought his mates back – as did his mates as they knew exactly what would happen once they got back to their shared quarters.

They were happy and showed Flasher how happy they were to be carrying his sparklings.

Flasher found himself spoiled as he was laid down on a berth and while Charger gave him a neck massage, red was down below gently licking and nuzzling his cable and valve. Flasher was in heaven, and he even teased Charger's exposed cable as they enjoyed their time together.

In the meantime, Soundwave had Ratchet come check the two little femmes out.

Ratchet was surprised to have found the two femmes were the only ones to come out of the eggs, but he did as he was asked, and found that they were healthy.

"Query, are they alright?" Soundwave asked.

"They will be just fine, as they are healthy. If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to comm. me" Ratchet replied, placing a hand on Soundwave's shoulder before he left.

Soundwave tended to Grimlock and the new sparklings before he let his cassettes back in.

And while most of the cassettes stayed back, Ravage ran right up to the two young femmes. Soundwave feared for her, but he needn't have worried, as Soundwave watched Grimlock allow Ravage to nuzzle and cuddle with the new little femmes. Grimlock was even petting Ravage as she curled up with her sisters. Grimlock smiled a toothy grin at his mate, which is when Soundwave realized he had been "holding his breath" for the last minute or so and allowed himself to "breathe" regularly again.

With that Soundwave knew it was okay and pushed his other little ones to go look and see as well.

The other cassettes went to meet their siblings, and all were awed at just how precious the little femmes were, but their preciousness seemed to bring out a protectiveness in all of the little mechs and even the older femme, as if they knew it was important to protect these ones. Soundwave and Grimlock smiled, happy to have their own little family.

Elsewhere on the base, two of the other dinobots, Sludge and Slag, were fighting over a femme dinobot that had recently appeared. No one knew where she had come from, but she even gave Grimlock a run for his money as the leader. Her designation was Roxie and she had caused quite a stir in the base when she had shown up.

Optimus had wanted to know where she had come from since Wheeljack hadn't built her.

In private, Roxie revealed her origins to the commander of the Autobots, some humans in combination with some transformers who were part of neither the Autobots nor the cons were working on constructing realistic Dinosaurs for a theme park and museum that was being worked on, and while she was not originally supposed to be alive, she had come into contact with something that had given her life. She looked up at the commander of the Autobots, and explained that the Cons had tried to capture once they found she was alive, but she was too lithe and quick, for she had been created as an oversized raptor. She had run to the Autobots for protection, and appeared to have far greater intelligence than the other dinobot mechs that were already part of the Autobot team.

Thought a bit leery Optimus did allow her to stay.

Roxie could sense the leader was a bit leery of her and she understood, and so she asked for something he didn't expect her to ask for, "Can I be trained to be an Autobot, Optimus, sir?" Roxie knew she would have to prove herself, and wanted every opportunity to do so.

"I will see if someone is willing but if this is a trick you will regret it"

Roxie merely nodded, as she wanted to run and hide, feeling slightly threatened by the larger leader of the Autobots. And when she was dismissed, she literally ran out of his office, trying not to cry. Mirage bumped into the femme and accidentally knocked her onto her aft. Feeling bad, Mirage helped her up, and asked her where she was going in such a hurry.

"I am sorry, sir, I was just talking with your leader, and he frightened me a little bit, as he doesn't seem to believe I want to be an Autobot" Roxie stated, feeling like she could talk to this mech.

"He can be harsh at times, but he is under a lot of pressure right now from this infernal civil war, and with the a duplicate of one of our own soldiers being sent over here from the cons, he has to be careful. By the way, my name's Mirage, what's yours?" Mirage asked in his warm, welcoming tone.

"Roxie sir" She told him.

"I am no sir, Roxie, I am just another soldier here, call me Mirage. What can I help you with?" Mirage asked, seeing that the femme was very nervous.

"I want to be trained to be as an Autobot"

"come with me, I know who to talk to, as he is already training a few other recruits" Mirage said, not wanting to tell this new bot that he was sparkbonded to the leader, as he could see her trust was very much shaken from her encounter. Mirage took Roxie down to the training room and introduced the femme to Ironhide and Jazz who were the instructors today. Luckystar and Silverstreak were the trainees, and with one quick secret comm. from their mother, they knew not to say anything. "Roxie, this is Ironhide, Jazz, Luckystar, and Silverstreak. Guys this here is Roxie, she is a new recruit so don't be too hard on her" Mirage said as he introduced the femme.

"Ya know good and well I don't go easy on tha recruits" Ironhide said. "If they want ta be be warriors their gonna have ta work for it"

Roxie was slightly intimidated by the brash bot, but Mirage helped out, "Roxie, what he means by that is that he will work you hard so you become the best bot you can. Hide is gruff and a bit rough around the edges, but he has a good spark and he didn't get to be the weapons specialist by being easy on bots. You will be fine, and if you all don't mind, I must go, as I have a few things to do" Mirage said as he left the shaky new recruit with Hide and the others, secretly comming all of them not to tell her that he was connected to Optimus.

As Mirage left, Silverstreak walked up to the femme, "Name's Silverstreak, but I go by Streak, and Hide's the best instructor of them all, though you will be tired when he is done with ya at the end of the day."

"I may be old by my audio's are wokin' just fine Silverstreak" Ironhide said. "Now back to work"

Roxie worked her aft off as she followed her instructors directions and put more effort into it than either of the other training mechs did. It was obvious to Jazz and Hide that Roxie was out to prove something to someone, but seeing that this only improved her performance, they continued to train her. Roxie was starting to become happier even though she was tired, and she knew she owed much to the mech who had taken her under his wing and led her down here so that she could start training.

Eventually Jazz and Ironhide dismissed them for the day.

Roxie went to the washracks to clean herself off, as he had worked hard. And once that was done, she met up with Streak, Lucky, and a new bot for her, Flasher, and headed to the rec room, trying to learn more and more about being an Autobot. Flasher, having been alerted by his brothers not to, did not reveal his family ties to the new recruit. Roxie felt welcome as they met more bots in the rec room, including Ratchet, Jack, TC, and Darkwing, as well as a few other bots. Roxie was amazed.

Darkwing was cuddled up with Wheeljack as his mate and the others talked with the new member.

Roxie noted the closeness, and being new asked about the two. Darkwing and Jack were more than happy to say that they were mates, and Roxie smiled. When the two suddenly left due to a comm. call regarding their sparklings, Roxie started talking to Thundercracker as well as Ratchet and even another bot when Mirage suddenly came in the room, after having commed everyone but his mate and the new recruit not to tell the new recruit that Optimus was Mirage's mate. "Hey Roxie, how did training go?"

"It was hard but it felt great"

'well, it is training, it isn't supposed to be easy" Mirage said as he mingled with all the other bots. And while Roxie wasn't attracted to the easy going bot on a romantic sort of level, she liked that he was so warm and welcoming and could see that it extended to all the bots. Mirage was just such a social butterfly, and while Roxie was ready to retire into her own private world, Mirage suddenly took her by the hand and introduced her to a few more bots as well as showed her to her quarters, which were away from the single mechs and family quarters, but not too far away so that if help was needed, it could come shortly. "sorry, if it is a little dirty, but we don't have too many femmes here" Mirage said as he showed Roxie her room, and after explaining a few things, he left.

Roxie settled in and went into recharge.

Mirage went back to his own quarters and after getting his children to bed, he went to recharge, knowing that his mate would be horny, but Mirage was tired, besides Mirage was annoyed that his mate would treat a new recruit so bad. And soon, Mirage was curled up in a tight ball, or as tight as he could, and asleep when his mate finally came back to their quarters.

Optimus joined his mate and gently pulled the other close.

The next morning when the leader woke, his mate was gone as were all their sparklings. Optimus was left alone, which was a tad unusual, as Optimus could feel that Mirage had not left the base. What Optimus did not know was that Mirage was busy with Prowl helping to work with the new recruit to train her. Optimus tried comming his mate, but Mirage ignored it, still mad at how Optimus had scared the new recruit.

Optimus was wondering what he had done to piss Mirage off to where the other would not answer him.

As Optimus left his quarters, he ran into Jack who was looking for one of his litter seekerlings. and trying to figure things out, Optimus asked Jack why Mirage was so pissy. What Jack said would surprise the leader.

"Optimus, Mirage has been trying to earn the trust of that new recruit. He commed all of us to let us know that you scared the living hell out of her, and afraid that he might scare her off, Mirage has had us withhold the info that you and he are sparkmates from her" stated Jack as he resumed his search for her seekerling.

Optimus groaned, of all the things it could have been it was that.

Meanwhile Mirage was working with Prowl to instruct Roxie when over the P.A came this "Mirage, report to my office immediately." It was Optimus and with that, Mirage knew Optimus had figured things out.

Roxie was worried, but Mirage reassured her, "Don't worry, I will be fine, you keep training." And with that, Mirage headed up to Optimus's office. 'You called, sir?"

"I couldn't imagine what I had done to make you mad then I find out it's because of how I treated our new arrival"

"Beloved, if you had seen the look of absolute terror and fear on her face after she talked to you, I think you would understand" Mirage stated, and then showed the look he had seen on Roxie's face when he first ran into her, a look of fear, terror, and a feeling of inadequacy as well as intimidation visible on her form. 'what was I supposed to think?"

"It's just I find her story so very hard to believe and the fact that Megatron has been far too quiet lately has me on edge"

"then why not have Ratchet or Jack look at her spark – it will confirm or deny her story" replied Mirage, "rather than intimidating the hell out of her."

"I didn't slagging mean to alright"

Mirage sighed, as he realized he had pushed his mate too far, and hoping that Optimus would not make him sleep on the couch tonight, even with triplet sparklings developing, Mirage began to massage his mate's neck and back, lightly tracing over sensitive areas – not necessarily for interfacing, but to help relieve some of the pressure that Optimus was under.

"I'm sorry" Optimus said. "I didn't mean to snap at you"

"No worries, my love. I am sorry for my childish behavior as well" Mirage stated as he continued to massage his mate.

Optimus just let Mirage rub him as he sighed, he was really feeling old.

"You are not old, love, you just are more experienced" Mirage said as he leaned down to lick Optimus's sensitive Audios real quick, trying to help his mate who had taken two of the 5 sparklings were growing in Mirage's chamber. "And besides, you'll feel better once you spark"

"Flatterer I am old" Optimus said taking one of Mirage's hands in his. He didn't have the spark to tell Mirage he often felt this way even when not sparked.

Mirage felt the sadness and tiredness from his mate, but said nothing, as he didn't feel like anything he said would be helpful. Mirage was starting to feel a little dizzy, as his third sparklings was sitting on an energon line. Mirage tried to fight it, and Optimus, feeling a bit sorry for himself, failed to pick up on it, at least until Mirage crashed to the floor.

Optimus reacted then and commed Ratchet about the medical emergency as he managed to pull Mirage into his arms.

Mirage was online, and ratchet was about to read the bot the riot act when Ratchet realized it wasn't that Mirage was not getting enough energon, for he was, it was that the last little bot that Mirage's body wasn't built to hold was cutting off circulation. "Mirage, I know you are going to hate me for this, but it is nothing but bedrest from here on out for you."

"Unghgg" Mirage sighed, but didn't have the strength or the spark to argue with the medic.

Optimus soothed Mirage. "It'll be alright love"

Mirage nodded, but then asked ratchet a favor, "can you tell Prowl I won't be able to come back and instruct her anymore, please" Mirage asked.

"I will but first let's get you settled somewhere"

"anywhere but the med bay" was the answer Ratchet got from Mirage on that.

Ratchet nodded and they got Mirage set up in his quarters.

Optimus asked Mirage who would he like to come stay with him.

Right now, Mirage just wanted sometime to himself, and asked, "is there any way I can just be by myself, I have a comm. if I need anything?" Mirage asked, but Optimus didn't care for that idea, for many reasons.

"Alright...but the second you feel off you comm anyone who will answer"

Mirage nodded and then nodded off, deep in recharge. Mirage looked peaceful as he slept – so young, so innocent, so full of life. Optimus didn't even realize that Ratchet was still there. "Sucks to get old, doesn't it?" the medic asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Like you wouldn't believe" Optimus said knowing Ratchet was older then he was. "I see Mirage and all the other young bots and I think to myself, was I ever their age. I'm tired Ratchet, so very tired"

"But I know what keeps up old coots going – it is our desire to lead the younger bots and our young mates. And while we can't always be as active as they would like us to be, they keep us young" ratchet said with a rare smile as he thought about his own mate.

"How is Bumblebee anyway? He sparked didn't he?"

"Yeah, had to remove 'em by C-section as there was no way full size sparklings were going to fit out of a minibot sparking canal" ratchet said as he talked about the three good sized triplets that Bee had sparked.

"And I imagine he came through it wonderfully" Optimus said. "Nothing like have a medic for your sparkmate"

"He did, but one thing I have to tell you, old friend. I now know how you felt, as not to long ago Bee and I got stuck and I had to have him find the release button in order to be able to become unstuck" Ratchet said, knowing Optimus would appreciate hearing this.

Optimus did laugh he found it very amusing that Ratchet had suffered the same fate.

"How bout we check on the little ones growing inside of you? You have been so focused on everyone else, and that has me a bit concerned – as we don't want to lose the ones you are carrying, as every sparkling is precious" stated Ratchet.

Optimus nodded and led the way to the couch so Mirage could rest.

Ratchet checked and found something he didn't like – the twins were developmentally behind where they should have been. Ratchet discreetly searched Optimus's systems and found that he was not taking in near enough energon, which Ratchet knew could also explain the always feeling tired. That was it, Ratchet silently commed jazz over a private link the two had formed ages ago to take over command and why. And as Optimus was wondering what was going on, Ratchet started a special mix of energon that he had been taught how to make by Mirage, and hooked it up to Optimus. And as Optimus looked up, curious, Ratchet stated, "I am removing you from the duty list. You are off duty, as is Mirage, until I declare you are healthy enough to return."

"Ratchet what's wrong" Optimus asking knowing the medic had to have a reason.

"Your twins are developmentally behind where they should be due to not getting enough energon as well as an overstressed carrier. I am restricting you because I need to make sure that you get enough energon, or the twins you carry may be born with serious glitches. I know you want to make sure those under your command are safe, but many times you do that to the detriment of yourself, your sparklings, and your mate. The only way I can be sure that you will take in enough energon is to keep you off duty. You are still the leader, and they will still check in with you if they have questions, but your duties have been given to other capable mechs. We don't want to lose those sparklings" ratchet said, hoping that he didn't overwhelm Optimus.

Optimus nodded after a minute. "Do they have a chance Ratchet"

"Do they have a chance for what, old friend?" Ratchet asked.

"Doing this, will they be alright"

"Doing this will be better than if I let you continue as you are going now. Because they were developmentally slowed down, it is possible one or both may have a slight glitch, but if you take it a bit easier and make sure you get the energon level that I have recommended for you while you carry, then you have a much better chance of having a better outcome" stated Ratchet, knowing it wasn't exactly what Optimus wanted to hear, but the medic just couldn't lie.

Optimus nodded. "Thank you, Ratchet"

"and now you can make sure your young mate stays with the program as well, as he is starting to show signs he is not getting enough energon. So far it has not affected the three sparklings he carries, but your job now is to make sure you and your mate stay with the program until you both spark" stated Ratchet, shocking Optimus who didn't realize his mate wasn't getting enough, and then Ratchet soothed Optimus, "Remember Optimus, before this he has only ever carried twins. Now he has triplets. If he only had twins, he would be having enough, but since he has three, he needs more, and you need to help him, as you know what it is like to carry triplets."

Optimus nodded. "I will Ratchet, is he fine for now?"

"Yes, old friend, he is, but he will be very hungry when he wakes up. Here (hands Optimus a data chip), Mirage gave this to me, and it is how I was always able to make sure to give you the most beneficial energon while you were carrying, I suggest you study it, as Mirage has some tips that even surprised me. Maybe you will learn the best energon to give him so that he thrive while carrying as well" Ratchet said just before heading out, and wishing his friend well.

Optimus looked it over while he stayed there on the drip keeping an audio open in case Mirage needed anything, he hoped the sparklings he carried would be alright.

Meanwhile, TC was sitting in the med bay with Skyfire, who was still out of it. TC felt horrible as it had been him and his trine mates that had pushed Skyfire to this point, and now that he was out of it and in the med bay, they realized just how much he did for them and helped them out. The first week or so, all three seekers had trouble getting any of the 18 to listen to them, but they remembered how easy Skyfire made it look. They had trouble cleaning, taking care of the sparklings, and doing many of the other things they never even realized Skyfire did without asking for any attention or anything else. TC had a couple of oily energon tears in his optics, as he didn't want to lose his mate, not because of what his mate did, but because it was his mate that he loved very much. TC watched as the energon drip continued to drip. And as TC laid his head on Skyfire, just to be near him, TC wondered if they had pushed their mate to the point that this time Primus wouldn't let the shuttle come back.

Skyfire lingered between here and there, a sort of limbo unaware of what was going on beyond it. Skyfire wondered where he was and he soon received his answer as Primus talked to him and asked him what it was he wanted. Did he want to live or did he want to rest. Skyfire thought it over and for a long time he thought it over he loved his mates dearly and their sparklings, but he longed for rest as well. A part of him did at any rate, while he tried to decide he thought he felt some warmth and could feel the pulse of TC.

He made his decision and told it to Primus. "So be it dear Skyfire but know this, the next time we meet your time will have ended"

Skyfire nodded and was sent back, first he made little groans semi painful sounding.

TC couldn't believe his audios. He jumped back in shock and then cautiously approached the large shuttle. And as TC realized that Fire was coming back, the seeker found a way to hug his giant mate and pulse more love, hoping that this was real.

Slowly Skyfire's optics onlined and another small groan escaped him. "TC..."

"… Skyfire? … SKYFIRE!" TC shouted, unable to hide his tears as well as his joy, "Oh my precious mate, we thought we lost you." And with that TC started gently kissing the larger shuttle, showing just how grateful the seeker was to have the shuttle back.

"TC..." Skyfire said as he other kissed him. "How long..."

"You've been out of it for darn near a month, Fire. You had all three of us worried sick, and Screamer is about as depressed as I have ever seen him" TC stated, and that was saying a lot as TC had seen Screamer lose his confidence after that whole being beaten by Megatron.

"Sorry..." Skyfire said softly.

"It's not your fault, Skyfire. This was a result of our own ignorance and stupidity, can you forgive us?" TC asked, still with oily energon tears in his optics.

"Yes...where's Screamer..."

"In an induced stasis lock across the way. We had to do that 3 days ago for fear that Screamer might kill himself' admitted TC, showing the shuttle just how much warp and TC were trying to handle things on their own. "Warp has all 18 sparklings right now, along with help from Keeper and Flasher."

"Help me up..." Skyfire said.

"are you sure you feel strong enough to stand, as you are bigger than I, and I also can't hold you up as I am sparked again, from when we were intimate before this all happened. I am the only one who is sparked, but I haven't told Screamer or Warp, as I was too afraid" TC stated.

"I have to...see Starscream..." Skyfire said. Then he gently caressed TC's face. "It's alright"

TC nodded and assisted Skyfire up, who was a lot sturdier than TC thought he would be. And once Fire found his balance, TC brought Skyfire over to Starscream, who had small incisional wounds on his wrists as well as other signs of having a major depression. TC was still in pain, Fire could feel it, as TC had been watching both while here in the med bay, and TC was about to snap if someone didn't take care of him, even though he wasn't about to admit it.

Skyfire managed to reach out and caresses Starscream's face, using his arm he pulled TC against him.

Coming back to the med bay after visiting Optimus and Mirage, Ratchet was shocked as hell to see Skyfire up and over by Screamer. It took several long seconds of crashing and rebooting before the old medic was able to move to go assess the situation.

"I see you are up, Skyfire" ratchet said, startling the hell out of TC, whose emotions were already pretty on edge, causing Skyfire to become protective of his mates, as they still were programmed to allow him to be dominant.

"I am" Skyfire said in a surprisingly strong voice.

Ratchet didn't back down. "settle down Skyfire, as I am not after either of your mates. And to be honest I am glad that you are back. We need you to pulse love to Starscream, or we could lose him" Ratchet stated.

Skyfire nodded and opened his side of the bond fully and pulsed love at Starscream asking him to return.

TC joined his mate and pulsed love, and both could feel warp pulse love from where he was at the quarters as well. And while it was good to have the two seekers, it was the fact that Skyfire was pulsing love that hit Starscream's spark the most, and while unable to come out of the induced stasis lock on his own, Skyfire and the others could feel a weak, searching pulse come back, and pumped more love in return, which caused the return pulses to become stronger. And while Ratchet couldn't see anything happening per se, his instruments told him all he needed to know, that Starscream was coming back and was no longer precariously perched between life and death.

"Come back to me, come back to us" Skyfire said to him lovingly.

Hoping he wasn't doing the wrong thing, Ratchet stepped in and gave Starscream a med that was an antidote to the med that knocked him out. And soon enough Starscream was waking up, wondering what the hell was going on and then he felt the pulses even stronger. And when Starscream onlined his optics, he saw something he never expected to see again, Skyfire standing there with TC asking him to come back. Starscream pulsed a massive pulse of love to his mates, letting them know that while he was still coming out of his stupor, he was back and loved them all very much.

"Silly Star" Skyfire said love in his voice and caressed him.

Elsewhere, Bluesky, being a femme, was being harassed a bit by some of the younger adult Autobots. She didn't want their attention nor did she want their weak attempts at flattery. And to top it off, a couple of the newer recruits were much like Sunny and sides had been. And when Bluesky tried to run, she found herself sprayed with bright neon green paint right from a well disguised paint bomb. Not knowing where to go or who to talk to, Bluesky ran. And as she ran, she ran into Hound, who found her crying. And while it wasn't her first choice, she clung to the mech as he tried to figure out what was wrong with her. And in broken sentences, Bluesky told Hound about what had happened, and about her fear that she would get pranked again.

Hound rubbed her back. "I will deal with them"

Before Hound could leave to deal with the troublemakers, Ironhide had come home, and with him were Silverstreak and Luckystar. And when Hound informed them of what had happened too poor Bluesky, they were all pissed. "what's wrong, ain't these young mechs got respect for a carryin' femme?" Ironhide said pissed off, shocking Streak and Lucky as neither knew that their sister was carrying, and with her being their triplet sister, they were even more pissed.

Ironhide went to go deal with the mechs who were in big trouble now.

Streak and Lucky went with Hide while Hound took Bluesky back to her parent's quarters. Swoop had stopped by, asking Optimus something about the new femme dinobot when both spotted Bluesky's new paint job. And while Swoop was a bit confused, Optimus was angry, as he knew exactly what had caused this and just had one question, "Who?" as Sky ran crying and cuddled up with her mate, who realized this paint job was not intentional on Bluesky's part.

"Me Swoop want know who hurt mate"

IN broken sentences, Bluesky told her dad and her mate what she had first told hound and then her triplet brothers and Hide. She told about the harassment from the young adult mechs, she told about the prank, and she told specifically about a set of twins who were new recruits from Cybertron that were admirers of the original twins Sunny and Sides, giving them names as Slipknot and Ball Bearing. And once she was done, Sky cuddled tighter into her mate, wanting desperately to be held and to feel safe.

Swoop held her close to him and nuzzled her. "Mate safe, me Swoop protect"

Mirage had unknowingly woken up, and could hear what was going on, and while he knew he wasn't supposed to be off bed rest, there was no way in hell he was going to stand by and let this happen, and so, before anyone else, including Hide who had a head start, could do anything Mirage used his illusionary powers and found the mechs in who had hurt his daughter. And soon enough he found them, and used his illusionary powers to scare the living tar out of them, and then slid away, and Ironhide only found two shocked mechs laying out on the floor – was a bit upset but then he was not sure if he wanted to know what had scared them so. And so, with the job done, Hide and the two mechs with him headed for Optimus's quarters, while Mirage moved invisibly, and headed back to the berth, hoping no one knew it was him who had handled those twins before Hide threw them in the brig.

Ironhide came to check on Bluesky and make sure she was alright. "Those responsible are in the brig" He said.

Streak was a little more hotheaded about it. "I don't know who got there before us, but I would have loved to show those two a thing or two" Streak said, shocking Optimus.

"what do you mean?" hound asked, curious.

"Looked like some'un got there before us and scared the livin' daylights out of em. They were passed out on the floor when we got there, and so it was no fun to throw 'em in the brig" Hide stated.

"The important thing is that Sky is safe now, as Hide had a talk with those good for nothing new recruits from Cybertron" stated Lucky.

Optimus had a sneaky suspicion on what had happened but didn't say anything about it. "You can have your fun later Ironhide"

"well, if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to trainin'" Hide said and took the boys and Hound with him. Swoop took Sky to their quarters, wanting to shower her with love, which left Optimus alone in his quarters with his mate, as their sparklings were elsewhere. Mirage appeared to be sleeping in the berth, but something was not quite right, all Optimus had to do was confirm his suspicion without alerting his mate until he caught him.

Optimus came over. "Hmmm, are you comfortable love"

"Not exactly, beloved, as the sparklings are kicking up a storm" Mirage said, not knowing he was opening up the perfect avenue for Optimus to get the information he wanted, as all Optimus would have to do was rub the sparkling bump and go from there.

Optimus sat down and started to rub the sparkling bump.

Mirage was melting into a puddle of goo as his sparkling bump was rubbed so expertly. Mirage began moaning, even revealing his interfacing array, which is exactly what Optimus had wanted to see, as it meant that Mirage was too far gone to lie.

"Did you do anything interesting my love"

Mirage shook his head, as to him, using his illusionary powers was not interesting, it was just a part of everyday life, and how he used them depended on the mood and the situation, but he would hardly call it interesting. "No dear mmph… ugh"

"You mean you didn't go anywhere or do anything" Optimus as he rubbed teasingly.

"well…" was all Mirage started to say, Optimus realized that his mate was not as easy to break as he first thought, but using the fact that Mirage was horny beyond all doubt would help Optimus get the answer he sought.

He rubbed the sparkling bump and teased the others port.

"Ugh mph …. More please.. more m-more feels so ….ooo.. good beloved" replied Mirage, totally shot from the pleasure running through his systems, he was now defenseless and Optimus knew it.

"So what did you do today my love"

"Took care of an issue regarding our oldest daughter' Mirage said, not even realizing what he was saying as he just wanted to overload.

Optimus kept teasing him. "I thought so"

Mirage was saddened a bit when Optimus stopped giving him such wonderful sensations. Figuring he did something wrong, Mirage closed his array turned away and curled up, feeling a bit used and unwanted.

Optimus turned him back and teased the now closed array. "I'm not done yet sweet, open"

Mirage did open his array but still remained curled up and turned away, not sure if he really wanted this anymore, even though his body yearned for it.

Optimus gently got Mirage onto his back. "Come on love this is for you"

Laying on his back was agonizingly painful for Mirage, but not willing to let his mate know, out of fear, Mirage did his best to try and enjoy the attention his mate was giving him.

"You're hurting, what will be comfortable for you" Optimus said.

Mirage thought real quick, "turn me onto my right side, as it is usually most comfortable" Mirage said, still fighting the pain that ran up and down his body from being on his back.

Optimus eased Mirage onto his right side and asked. "Better?"

Mirage released a huge sigh of relief, "Yes, beloved, much"

"I want you to enjoy this love" Optimus said. "We get to spend a lot more time together now"

Mirage looked into his mate's optics confused. "It is not that I don't want to spend more time with you as I do, but why will we get more time now, especially since you are our leader and commander?" Mirage asked, not knowing what ratchet had proclaimed and done.

"I have been relieved of duty, medics orders"

While Mirage was happy, he tried but failed to hide the intense worry he had about his mate being off duty per the medic's orders. Mirage was not sure what to think and with all the concerns, he just couldn't enjoy the sensations Optimus was trying to give him, at least not until he understood more of what was happening.

Optimus sighed and knew Mirage wasn't going to give in until he told so he told him what Ratchet had said.

Mirage listened intently, and silently thanked Primus that the medic had finally taken Optimus off the duty roster, as Mirage had seen this coming, but no one wanted to listen to him. 'Well, beloved, it looks like we will have much more time to enjoy each other' Mirage said, feeling much more playful and he gently teased his mate's extremely sensitive sparkling bump, as Mirage wanted to make sure Optimus was enjoying this as well.

Optimus grinned and showed Mirage how much he loved him and let the other show how much he loved him. When they were sated Optimus got them both the special energon blend.

Mirage was caught off guard and somewhat impressed with what his mate had done. And with warm energon in hand Mirage snuggled into his mate, enjoying the time that they could spend together.

Optimus held Mirage close while they enjoyed their energon and just talked about silly stuff mostly.

Mirage was laughing as he brought up a memory from the past, from when Optimus had been confused one time when Mirage was practicing his illusions, and Optimus, thinking Megatron had gotten a hold of his mate, had torn up the quarters.

(Flashback)

Mirage couldn't believe it, yesterday he and Optimus, the leader of the Autobots, had bonded. Mirage felt content and even happy about it. And having just gotten up, Mirage decided to make sure his illusionary system was in order. And figuring that Optimus wouldn't come back anytime soon, Mirage began to run the gamut of all the illusions he had already created and mastered.

Optimus of course not wanting to be long from his bonded was on his way and panicked when he couldn't find his mate. His processor immediately assuming the worst had happened.

In the quarters, wanting to practice some new moves he was working on, Mirage created an illusion of Megatron to practice holding onto the illusionist in several ways so that the illusionist could practice his moves. Being overly focused on his training, Mirage failed to hear his mate enter their quarters.

Optimus upon not seeing his mate and somehow seeing Megatron in his quarters Optimus was freaking and reacting out of instinct. Of course destroying most of the quarters.

Mirage, having been hit by a stray laser, soon turned off his illusion, making Megatron disappear, only to find his mate frazzled and the quarters an absolute disaster. "What's going on?" Mirage asked, not understanding that his illusion had set his mate off.

Optimus went straight away and pulled Mirage into his arms.

"Optimus, I am perfectly safe. Are you ok?" Mirage had asked, feeling squeezed to death in the bear hug that Optimus had given him.

"How when Megatron was here"

It was then that it hit Mirage. "Good Primus, love, that was just an illusion I use when I train. The real one is still far, far away. I am sorry if I scared you, but let me show you the illusions I have of Megatron, so you can see they are just an illusion" Mirage said, and showed his mate.

(end Flashback)